Endangered Species in National Parks of Korea

Among the estimated 5~10million species around the world, only 1.4 million species are reported.
There are around 100,000 species in Korea, however, only 30,000 species are recorded.
In the National Park, there are 15,000 species and 133 out of 221 endangered species designated by Wildlife Protection Act.

Endangered Species is designated based on Wildlife Conservation Act.
Endangered Species Level I : Facing extermination due to tremendous decrease of its population from natural or artificial threats.
Endangered Species Level II : Facing extermination in the near future unless threatening factors are eliminated or mitigated.

Total

Mammals

Birds

Amphibians

Reptiles

Fishes

Insects

Benthic macro invertebrates

Plants

Seaweeds

Total

133(221)

9(22)

46(61)

2(2)

4(4)

7(18)

20(20)

1(29)

44(64)

0(1)

I

27(50)

5(12)

9(13)

-

1(1)

2(6)

5(5)

0(5)

5(8)

-

II

106(171)

4(10)

37(48)

2(2)

3(3)

5(12)

15(15)

1(24)

39(56)

0(1)

The number inside ( ) is the number of endangered species in Korea

Biological Factor

Vulnerable to its changed circumstances such as global warming and disease when the population size is too small. Small population size can cause low genetic diversity and low adaptability.

Natural Factor

Vulnerable to natural disaster resulting in habitat destruction such as fire, flood and landslide.

Artificial Factor

Vulnerable to human development activity resulting in damage and fragmentation of habitat, pollution, introduction of alien species, illegal picking and poaching.

Conservation of Original Habitat

Recovery of endangered species viability through conservation of habitat.

Expansion of habitat range

Conservation of habitat where endangered species still remains and expansion of those habitats by linking neighbouring individual habitat.

Restoration of Endangered Species ex situ conservation

Providing alternative habitat such as zoo and botanic garden for endangered species when the in situ conservation is not possible.

The KNPS, according to the MOE's comprehensive program of breeding and restoring endangered species of wild animals and
plants, is conducting the program of breeding and restoring endangered species of animals and plants including the Asiatic black
bear and antelopes.

To breed the endangered Asiatic black bear and increase its number to at least 50 individuals which can be self viable

To introduce the genetically same wild bears as South Korea's Asiatic black bear from North Korea and the Littoral Province of Siberia in a bid to breed them and increase their number and to stabilize their habitat.

To reintroduce antelopes to Wolaksan Mountain to enhance their genetic diversity

To introduce ten antelopes in Hwacheon, Gangwon-do to allow them to graze in the pastures, and to continue to monitor them

To create botanical gardens for 36 endangered species of wild plants in 16 parks

To install protection facilities in their habitats to realize in situ conservation, and to breed and restore such endangered species within the parks to realize ex situ conservation